Three potential‐difference measurements in a series circuit yield the following…
PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Measurements and their errors · Measurements and their errors
Problem
Three potential‐difference measurements in a series circuit yield the following values (each with its standard uncertainty):
• Battery emf: 5.00 ± 0.05 V
• Resistor 1: 2.10 ± 0.03 V
• Resistor 2: 2.88 ± 0.03 V
Which statement best characterizes whether these data satisfy the loop rule within experimental uncertainty?
(a) They violate the loop rule because 5.00V is not exactly equal to 4.98V, so the circuit fails to conserve energy.
(b) They satisfy the loop rule only if the battery emf is adjusted upward by one full uncertainty interval.
(c) They satisfy the loop rule because the 0.02 V discrepancy is smaller than the combined standard uncertainty of roughly 0.06 V.
(d) They satisfy the loop rule because the 0.02 V discrepancy is smaller than the largest individual uncertainty of 0.05 V.